Environmental Friendly Materials Research Articles

Study of the Thermal Properties of Clay-Straw Composite Material for Thermal Insulation of Buildings

Clay is an environmentally-friendly material available throughout Senegal. To reduce the energy consumption of buildings and the emission of greenhouse gases, clay is often used in construction, and natural insulating materials such as straw are combined with it to improve its thermal properties. An experimental transient parallel hot-wire measurement was used to determine the influence of straw addition on the thermal properties of the composite material. The thermal results showed that adding straw to the clay reduced its thermal conductivity by 61 Parsent. The clay-straw composite could therefore be an alternative to concrete-based materials for ensuring thermal comfort in buildings.

Constructing sports facilities using environment-friendly materials

This study is focused on applying environment-friendly materials (EFM) to construct sports facilities for sustainability. The current status and future potential of using EFM in sports facility construction are concretely discussed with a thorough literature review and analysis. First, we discuss the concept and significance of EFM, especially in terms of its advantages in reducing carbon emissions and conserving resources: e.g., Europe carries out the EU Horizon 2020 plan, which invests 3.018 billion euros for studying climate action, environment, resource efficiency, and rare materials for green manufacturing. Second, the application of EFM in venue construction, e.g., sports stadiums, is comprehensively reviewed and evaluated, including using renewable materials, energy-saving technologies, and eco-friendly architectural designs. Third, the challenges and future developing trends of applying EFM in sports facility construction are discussed by considering constructional design and material selection. We find that EFM shows great potential in constructing sports facilities, playing a key role in promoting the sustainable development of sports facilities and a low-carbon economy.

The Investigation of Graphene Oxide-Enhanced Hybrid Slurry Preparation and Its Polishing Characteristic on CVD Single Crystal Diamond.

As an environment-friendly material, graphene oxide nanosheet can effectively improve the polishing surface quality of single crystal diamond workpieces. However, the lubricating and chemical effects of graphene oxide nanosheets have an uncertain impact on the polishing material removal rate. In this paper, the graphene oxide-enhanced hybrid slurry was prepared with good stability. The femtosecond laser etching and contour measurement method was adopted to analyze the polishing material removal rate of the CVD single crystal diamond workpiece. The surface damage of the workpiece polished with SiC abrasive grains is minimal, while the workpiece with diamond abrasive grains has the largest material removal rate. With an increase in abrasive grain size, the polishing material removal rate increases, but new surface scratches and pits can be introduced if the grain size is too large. Therefore, a grain size of 2.5 μm was selected to improve the surface quality. The surface roughness first decreases and then increases with the increase in polishing rotation speed. At a speed of 4000 rpm, the surface roughness reached its minimum with a relatively high material removal rate simultaneously. A series of CVD single crystal diamond scratching experiments were conducted with different scratching speeds, which proved that graphene oxide can help facilitate material surface micro-protrusion removal.

Enhancing the Performance of Biodegradable Lignin Nanoparticle/PVA Composite Films via Phenolation Pretreatment of Lignin Using a Novel Ternary Deep Eutectic Solvent

As an environment-friendly biodegradable material, poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) has been focused on improving performance and expanding its applications. In this study, improved performance lignin nanoparticle/PVA composite film was prepared by phenolation of bagasse lignin (BL) using a novel ternary deep eutectic solvent (DES). The effects of introduction of DES-phenolated lignin (DL) nanoparticles with different additions (1, 3, 5, 10 wt%) on the properties of DL/PVA composite film were comprehensively studied by mechanical performance test, UV-shielding performance test, contact angle measurement, thermogravimetric analyses and DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The experimental results indicated that lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were homogeneously distributed in a biodegradable PVA matrix due to hydrogen bonds between the PVA matrix and lignin nanoparticles. With the introduction of DES pretreatment on native bagasse lignin, the various performances of DL/PVA composite films, such as tensile strength, surface hydrophobicity, UV-shielding and thermal stability, were enhanced in comparison with both pure PVA film and BL/PVA composite film incorporated with DES-untreated BL. The tensile strength of DL/PVA composite film with 3 wt% addition increased to 97.79 MPa from 69.41 MPa for pure PVA film, and the water contact angle increased from 43.7° to 84.2°. DL/PVA composite film with 10 wt% addition shielded 95.8% of the UV spectrum (400–200 nm). Moreover, after incorporating the DL nanoparticles into the PVA matrix, the as-obtained DL/PVA composite films displayed good antioxidant activity by eliminating most of the DPPH free radicals. With 10 wt% addition of DL nanoparticles, the DPPH radical scavenging activity of DL/PVA composite film increased by about 76% compared with pure PVA film. These enhanced properties were attributed to the more phenolic hydroxyl groups of DL nanoparticles than of BL and the hydrogen-bonding interactions. In conclusion, the DES-phenolation pretreatment of lignin clearly improved the properties of PVA composite films. Furthermore, as both lignin and PVA are biodegradable, the lignin nanoparticle/PVA composite film may be a promising candidate for fully biodegradable robust coating materials with vital potential applications, such as UV-shielding and food packaging, etc.

Controllable preparation of lignin-based photothermal composites based on fractionation treatment

Using natural renewable lignin to prepare new photothermal materials can improve the value of lignin, reduce costs, and promote sustainable development. However, the heterogeneity of lignin is an important factor limiting the stability and tunability of lignin-based photothermal materials. In this paper, lignin after fractionation treatment was blended with the Polybutylene succinate (PBS) to obtain an environmental-friendly, tunable and multifunctional photothermal material. The modulation and enhancement of the compatibility, mechanical, thermal, and photothermal properties of PBS/Lignin composites were achieved by adjusting the structure of lignin. The abundant conjugated structure and high near-infrared (NIR) light absorption capability endowed the high molecular-weight lignin with 71.34 % photothermal conversion efficiency, which led to the maximum surface temperature of the as-prepared composite reached 291 °C under NIR light of 0.9 W/cm2. Meanwhile, the composite exhibited favorable light-triggered shape memory behavior (98.2 % fixation rate and 92.6 % recovery rate), effective light-controlled self-healing capability (91.6 % self-repairing efficiency), and significant photothermal antimicrobial activity (90.6 % inhibition of Escherichia coli, 88.1 % inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus) under the stimulation of NIR light. This study serves as a reference for regulating and enhancing the photothermal conversion efficiency of lignin and developing environmental-friendly photothermal materials.

Functionalization of Emulsion Interfaces: Surface Chemistry Made Liquid.

Disperse systems, and emulsions in particular, are currently massively used in fields as varied as food industry, cosmetics, health care and environmentally-friendly materials. To meet increasingly precise needs or targeted applications, these systems need to be endowed with new functionalities at their interfaces, in addition to their composition and structural properties. However, due to the fragility of drops and the low reactivity of their surface, conventional solid surface chemistry cannot be used for such a purpose. Several specific emulsion interface functionalization techniques have thus been developed for targeted systems and applications, but a general framework has yet to be drawn. In this review, we attempt to present these methods in a unified way through the prism of what we may call "liquid surface chemistry". We propose to categorize existing methods into drop-coating strategies, including layer-by-layer techniques and polymer coating, with a particular focus on polydopamine, and emulsifier-carrier approaches involving particles and/or amphiphilic molecules. They are discussed in a transversal way, highlighting the underlying physico-chemical principles and providing a comparative analysis of their advantages, current limitations and potential for improvement. We also propose future directions and opportunities, involving for instance DNA-based programmability or artificial intelligence, which could make liquid surface chemistry more versatile and controlled.

Axial compressive properties of GFRP-reinforced PVC-based glued wood-plastic composites column

Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) are environment-friendly materials, which are always used in decoration engineering and outdoor engineering. However, WPCs cannot be directly used as bearing structural members especially columns for their poor tensile and compressive properties and great creep under long-term loading. This study presented an innovative approach of using glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) to reinforce PVC-based glued WPCs short columns. Three effective reinforcement methods were proposed: embedding GFRP bars, wrapping GFRP sheets around the outer surface, and GFRP bars and sheets compound reinforcement. Axial compression tests were conducted to evaluate the load-bearing capacity and deformability of the columns. The results showed that the outer GFRP sheets effectively inhibited the cracking of adhesive layers, leading to a remarkable enhancement in ductility and stiffness of the WPCs columns. Moreover, the ultimate bearing capacity of GFRP bars/sheets compound reinforced columns increased by over 140%. Finite element (FE) analysis was employed to investigate the influence of GFRP reinforcement methods, aiming to obtain the optimal design solution of WPCs columns. A theoretical formula was established to calculate the axial compressive capacity of GFRP-reinforced WPCs columns, and its accuracy was validated through experimental tests and FE modeling.

Unveiling microstructural evolution and its effect on mechanical performance in a Cu-9Ni-6Sn alloy

Cu-9Ni-6Sn alloy exhibits profoundly potential as a new environmental-friendly conductive elastic material. In this work, the formation and growth mechanism of discontinuous precipitation, as well as its effect on mechanical properties of Cu-9Ni-6Sn alloy are systematically studied. The investigation indicated that the discontinuous precipitation does easily initiate from random grain boundaries but showing opposite result for Σ3 boundaries. The lower frequency Σ3 boundaries relatively, the more intense the solute diffusion, resulting in a higher volume fraction of discontinuous precipitation. The increasing aging temperature and time will accelerate the grain boundary discontinuous reaction, and the fine-grained samples exhibit a higher volume fraction of discontinuous precipitates and smaller lamellar spacing due to the more nucleation sites and increased interfacial energy. The strengthening mechanism of Cu-9Ni-6Sn alloy mainly focus on dislocation strengthening and precipitation strengthening, in which the D022 or L12-γ′ phases exhibit more significantly precipitation strengthening effect but is difficult to guarantee ductility. The localized grain boundary discontinuous precipitation detrimentally affect both the tensile strength and ductility.But the nano-lamellar discontinuous precipitation is beneficial to the strength-ductility trade off when it occupies the entirely Cu matrix. This work establishes a robust foundation for the microstructural optimization and multi-component design of Cu-9Ni-6Sn alloy.

Engineered environment-friendly multifunctional food packaging with superior nonleachability, polymer miscibility and antimicrobial activity

This study was conducted primarily to develop an environment-friendly food packaging boasting several advantages, including good water vapor barrier, UV resistance, antimicrobial activity, non-leachability, and polymer miscibility. Initially, the starch-based antimicrobial agent (OCSI) was synthesized through a simple esterification reaction between oxidized corn starch (OCS) and indoleacetic acid (IAA). Subsequently, OCSI was further blended separately with environmentally-friendly materials (PVA, PBAT, PCL), and a series of environment-friendly packaging films were successfully prepared. The resulting films exhibited desirable thermal stability and 100 % barrier against both UV-A and UV-B rays. Moreover, the films presented effective barriers against water vapor, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. Meanwhile, the films could significantly inhibit the deterioration of fresh fruits and prolong shelf life, considerably expanding their utilization in safe packaging. The environment-friendly packaging not only realized the sustainable utilization of green polymers, but also offered novel insights into the exploration of sustainable packaging.

Green Concrete Evolution: A Study on Industrial and Agri By-Product Incorporation

Green concrete is nothing but concrete made with eco friendly wastes. In concrete industries green concrete is a revolutionary topic. Green Concrete is an environmental friendly material. Normal concrete is responsible for release of carbon dioxide to some extent. To reduce such emissions, various types of concrete were developed by various researchers by using some waste products from industries and agriculture. It depicts the convenience of the usage of various by products such as dust, marble, fly ash, plastic waste, marble granules, silica fumes, blast furnace, slag, etc. which requires less amount of energy and it is also less harmful to environment. Green Concrete is capable for sustainable development by the application of industrial waste to reduce the consumption of natural resources and energy etc. Use of such materials saves approximately 20% of cements. Thus, green concrete is an excellent substitute of cement as it is cheaper, due to which it is made up of waste products, saving energy. Green Concrete has greater strength & durability compared to normal concrete. The performance of concrete containing brick dust was compared to the control samples developed for this investigation.

Efficient enhancement of piezo-catalytic activity of BaTiO3-based piezoelectric ceramics via phase boundary engineering

Piezoelectric catalysis stemmed from lead-free piezoelectric ceramics is an emerging catalytic technology applied extensively in degradation of organic pollutants due to its low energy consumption and non-pollution. However, the dissatisfied catalytic efficiency of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics has constrained their further development and application. Herein, we employ ion doping to modulate the phase boundary construction of BaTiO3-based piezoelectric ceramics (BaTi(1-x)(Zr1/3Sn1/3Hf1/3)xO3, BTZSH-x), and the degradation performances of organic dyes are explored to illuminate the piezo-catalytic mechanism. The ion doping alters the phase boundary of BaTiO3 ceramics and a two-phase coexistence of rhombohedral-orthorhombic is achieved at room temperature in BTZSH-0.04 ceramic. Consequently, the BTZSH-0.04 ceramic exhibits an excellent degradation efficiency of rhodamine B with 97.27% in 60min and a high reaction rate constant of 0.056 min−1 under ultrasonication which is 7.4 times more than that of pristine BaTiO3. This work provides an advisable policy for constructing environmental-friendly piezoelectric materials with glorious piezo-catalytic activity.

A sustainable approach to enhance biodegradability of recycled LDPE with starch biofillers derived from potato peels and rice husk ash*

ABSTRACT This study investigates the potential of using starch derived from potato peels and rice husks as biofiller for the production of biodegradable plastics. Starch was extracted from potato peels and modified using phthalic anhydride, formamide and potassium acetate to ensure its homogeneous dispersion into the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix. The modified potato peel starch and rice husk ash were characterised using various techniques such as SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD and were blended with recycled LDPE to enhance its biodegradability for making it an applicable environmental friendly packaging material. The quantity of the biofiller was varied from 4 to 12 g while rice husk ash content was kept constant (0.6 g). The addition of the biofiller reduced the tensile strength, tear strength and transparency of the film with an increase in haze %, weight loss both in garden soil and vegetable waste environment indicating the enhancement in biodegradability of the produced blend. Considering the applicability constrain biodegradable blend containing 20% starch was considered as the best one having tensile strength of approximately 10.42 MPa, tear strength 69.4 N, weight loss percentage of 13.29% in garden soil and 11.34% in vegetable waste when studied for a period of 360 days. Modification of starch has however increased both the mechanical (tensile strength – 12.628 MPa, tear strength – 80.47 N) and biodegradability (weight loss percentage of 15.19% in garden soil and 14.45% in vegetable waste) of the films when studied under the same conditions for the sample containing 30% starch in the matrix.

Integrating data imputation and augmentation with interpretable machine learning for efficient strength prediction of fly ash-based alkali-activated concretes

Fly ash-based alkali-activated concrete (AAC) is renowned for its superior mechanical performance and sustainability, presenting an attractive alternative to traditional Portland cement concrete. Despite these advantages, the broad compositional range of AACs presents challenges in precisely tailoring material properties. In this context, machine learning (ML) offers promising prospects to streamline and fast-track the development of advanced materials design strategies by predicting mechanical properties from compositional variations. Effective ML model development, however, hinges on the availability of a comprehensive, high-quality dataset. Previous studies often relied on literature-derived datasets, which typically include outliers, noise, and missing values, potentially leading to biased predictions. Moreover, limited dataset sizes could undermine the robustness of the models. Traditional ML methods applied to AACs also tend to lack interpretability. To address these issues, this paper utilizes several data imputation methods and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) for data augmentation, effectively doubling the dataset size. Following this, ML algorithms such as Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Neural Networks (NNs) are leveraged to predict compressive strength. The NN model, especially when enhanced by k-nearest neighbors (kNN) imputation (k = 5), demonstrated superior predictive accuracy compared to RF and XGBoost models. Further, SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis reveals key determinants of compressive strength, such as water content, SiO2, and curing conditions. Visualizations such as SHAP violin and river flow plots further elucidated feature contributions and property distributions. Overall, this study provides a robust framework for exploring composition-strength relationships in AACs, advancing the design of these environment-friendly materials.

Smart Dental Materials: Unravelling the Exciting Future of Dentistry

Dental materials have changed significantly over the years, with new materials being developed and introduced at a rapid pace. Smart materials are used in dentistry because of their excellent biocompatibility and ability to respond to physiological changes and local environmental stimuli to protect the teeth and promote oral health. Smart dental materials change one or more of their characteristics in response to inputs. They actively contribute to the functionality of the structure or apparatus. Smart materials are an answer to the requirement of environment-friendly and responsive materials. Smart materials are a new generation of materials which hold a good promise for the future in the field of bio‑smart dentistry. They offer significant possibilities, but considerable research is required in this field of material science. It is the need of the hour that all dentists should be aware of these innovative materials to enable their use and utilize their optimal properties in day-to-day practice to provide quality and effective holistic treatment. The objective of this article is to shed light and improve understanding on the various bioactive and smart materials being used in dentistry today and to provide a perspective on the exciting future of these smart dental biomaterials.

A biomacromolecular additive based on pullulan polysaccharide to enhance the life of lead-acid battery packs in DC systems

Abstract With the rapid growth in demand for mobile power, lead-acid batteries still occupy a large market share due to their excellence in energy storage. However, their lifespan is affected by various factors, which limits the application efficiency and environmental friendliness. In this regard, this paper proposes a method to enhance the service life of lead-acid battery packs by applying biomacromolecule additives. A lead-acid battery pack modification method is investigated by introducing chitosan, a natural macromolecule with excellent electrical conductivity and biodegradation properties, into lead-acid batteries. So that the chitosan-modified material forms a stable and protective film on the surface of the battery electrode plate, thereby reducing the analysis of sulphate crystals on the electrode surface. The method of modification of lead-acid battery packs has been studied. Comparative analysis of the experimental data shows that the modified battery pack exhibits lower charge transfer impedance and better electrochemical stability than the traditional lead-acid battery during the cyclic charge/discharge test. Through the cycle charge/discharge test, the energy loss of the battery with biomolecules is 30% lower than that of the unmodified battery, and the number of charge/discharge cycles increases by 60%, which effectively prolongs the service life of the lead-acid battery. The progress of this paper not only has guiding significance for the performance improvement of traditional lead-acid batteries but also provides a significant theoretical and experimental basis for the development and application of environmental friendly battery materials.

Development of lightweight bricks using agricultural and industrial waste

Abstract The construction industry is undergoing a notable shift towards environmental sustainability, driving the innovation of construction materials that are robust, lightweight, and eco-friendly. this study delves into the formation of lightweight bricks, with a focus on their mechanical properties, thermal insulation capabilities, and environment-imperative agricultural and industrial waste material. In response to the environmental imperative to reduce reliance on clay and other raw materials in construction, this study investigates the utilization of flower waste, iron ore, chaff, and wheat husk, in the production of lightweight bricks. This alternative material offers a sustainable solution to mitigate the environmental impact of traditional brick manufacturing processes. Through a systematic evaluation of physical properties, materialistic properties, and thermal performance the study provides insights into the feasibility and efficacy of incorporating chaff and wheat husk into brick production. The findings offer practical recommendations for the development of environment-friendly construction materials contribute to the conservation of natural resources and the promotion of sustainable building practices.

Porous Wood Composite as a Green Approach for Enhancing Electrochemical Performance of Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Supercapacitors.

Delignified wood (DW) is a kind of environment-friendly porous material, and its unique hierarchical orous structure and excellent wettability are conducive to the rapid transfer and storage of ions, which can be used as electrolyte matrix of supercapacitors. In order to solve the deficiency of mechanical properties of DW as electrolyte materials, a novel cross-linked polyurethane (CPU) with high water absorption is designed as a reinforced matrix to improve the mechanical properties of electrolytes while maintaining high ionic conductivity. First, DW is immersed in CPU precursor solution, and the DW/CPU composite (W-CPC) is obtained by thermal crosslinking. Finally, W-CPC is soaked in 1 M LiClO4 aqueous electrolyte to obtain the composite gel polymer electrolyte (W-CPC-GPE). Benefiting from the good hydrophilicity of W-CPC, the anisotropic vertical channels inside the DW, and the synergism of hydrogen bond and covalent bond. The highest ionic conductivity and mechanical strength of W-CPC-GPE are 3.5×10-2 S cm-1 and 0.67 MPa, respectively. The W-CPC-5-G based supercapacitor exhibits a high specific capacitance of 146.52 F g-1 and favorable capacitance retention rate of 90.7 % after 5000 cycles. The results show that compounding with DW is an efficient and green way to develop high-performance gel polymer electrolytes for supercapacitors.

Water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from Enteromorpha prolifera/PVA composite film functionalized as ε-polylysine with improved mechanical and antibacterial properties

The issue of environmental protection has received sustained and widespread attention. In order to reduce environmental pollution related to traditional plastics, it is an incessant demand to design novel environment-friendly food packaging materials with excellent performance. Sulfated polysaccharide extracted from the “green tide” marine pollution Enteromorpha prolifera (SPE) has been innovatively transformed into a film-forming material for better utilization. The insufficient mechanical properties and limited functionalities, however, hinder its wide application. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was blended to enhance its mechanical properties and ε-polylysine (ε-PL) was incorporated to endow it with antimicrobial performance. A novel and biodegradable film composed of SPE, PVA, and ε-PL was fabricated by casting method. We further determined the physicochemical properties of composited films. Mechanical performance test revealed the tensile strength of SPE-PVA-PL films increased from 5.56 MPa to 6.65 MPa and the E% increased from 128.8 % to 246.9 % compared with that of SPE-PVA films. Antimicrobial tests showed the excellent antibacterial activity of SPE-PVA-PL films against representative microbial species, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results of this study suggested that the SPE-based composite film has the potential to be used as a potential food packaging and wound dressing materials.

The Effect of Employing Green Materials on the Business Performance of the Sustainable Retail Sector

There has been an increasing demand in the retail sector to become more environmentally sustainable in its operations. One crucial aspect of sustainable retail operations is green materials, which can lead to better business performance among firms in sustainable retailing. The quantitative approach was adopted in this study, whereby a structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents, who, in this case, were retailers in a specific sustainable retail environment. The population of this study comprises 200 retailers based in the sustainable retail sector who are using green materials for their supply chain packaging and manufacturing processes, such as Post Industry Recycled, biodegradable and organically oriented materials. This study will help develop strategies to incorporate green materials in business operations to benefit companies in a sustainable retailing business. The research shows that adopting environment friendly materials such as biodegradable and recyclable ones can make a company more profitable, prefered by customers, loyal to the customers and respond to their needs and promote their image to previse customers who are green conscious. It entails that sustainable actors in the retail sector who incorporate green materials in their product designing and manufacturing processes are likely to snatch the sustainable market efficiently.

Excellent facile fabrication of PVA and lignin nanoparticles from wheat straw after novel DES-THF pretreatment

The utilization of environmental friendly and renewable materials has received increasing attention recently. Lignin nanospheres (LNPs) prepared from recovered lignin and residual lignin after DESs and DESs-THF pretreatment were obtained by self-assembly in the present research. Then, films were prepared by incorporating them into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution. The properties of various films were characterized and compared. Results showed that as the LNPs content increased, the UV blocking capacity of the films was gradually enhanced than PVA film. The DES-THF films showed better antioxidant properties up to 69 % due to higher phenolic hydroxyl content. The hydrophobicity of films incorporated with DESs-THF pretreated lignin was consistently better than that of DES pretreated. DES-THF-M films showed a higher Tmax than that of DES-M films, resulting in better thermal stability. Moreover, DES-THF-L films are lighter in color due to a lower degree of condensation, which is favorable to subsequent applications. The incorporation of LNPs improved mechanical and antioxidant properties, thermal stability, and UV shielding ability of PVA films, especially lignin after DES-THF pretreatment. In conclusion, the prepared PVA/LNPs composite films possessed good functional properties that make them potential for packaging materials.